Protecting the Boss.

[zydrate]

(closed)

Karli Santini wasn't in the mood to hear any more business today. All morning it had been nothing but complaints and threats from other families. Of course, some things never changed. There would always be complaints... arguments and disagreements but today... something was off...

She had spent lunch by herself, as usual. And that gave her time to think about it all. How was she going to keep doing this day in and day out? Of course, she never voiced her concerns to anyone... how could she? It would show as a weakness...she had to be strong for the family's sake.

Her thoughts drifted back to 2 days prior. She had been out, invited by an associate... dinner was served but no sooner had they gotten done with prayers, they were attacked by someone. It all happened so fast... she had lost 2 men in the fight, the police were called in, Karli had managed to escape with her life...and a graze of a bullet on her left arm.

Karli's brothers had decided it was time to have someone watch her 24 hours a day. As much as she wanted to protest, she knew it was something that needed to be done. But not just anyone could do. She had to have someone she could trust. Someone who wouldn't be afraid to put their life on the line for her...the boss.

Of course her brothers couldn't do it. They were targets too. Karli wanted to have some say in it all. She wanted to choose someone.

And rumor was there was one man back in town and she had called for him.

A knock on the door dragged her out of her own thoughts and she looked up from her desk. She set her coffee cup down and stood up. Today she wore a cream colored dress. The skirt had a slit on one side that reached up high on her hip. Her jewelry consisted of a gold Rolex watch and a thin gold necklace with matching earrings. Her makeup was minimal but still, she didn't need it. Her complexion was flawless. She wore her long black hair hanging down her back in waves.

"Come in." she said, keeping her voice steady although her heart was beating wildly in her chest.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason Wilson had come back to town over a week ago after taking some leave from the military. No one back here knew what he had done but every one knew he had been in some tough stuff. He had changed from the excited kid that was going to join the Marines and see the world, to the tough, muscular man that had returned who was quiet but saw everything around him.

He had moved into a cheap apartment and had started to look for work when a couple of guys he knew from high school had approached him. They had talked to him about the old days and how he had enjoyed the military but he knew they were sounding him out for something and he got tired of them dancing around the subject.

"Okay guys out with it. You are not here to reminisce about old times. What do you want?"
They looked sheepish then the larger of the two took over. "It's like this Mr Wilson. You remember Karli Santini? I think you went out with her for a little while or something,. All I know is that you were really close. Anyway you know that her family was...let us say connected. Well against her will she was dragged into the business and now she is in need of a trustworthy bodyguard. As luck would have it I have heard that you are looking for a job and was hoping you would be interested in said position. She really needs someone she can trust Mr Wilson and I believe you fit that bill nicely."

Jason stared at the man to see if this was a set up, but he seemed sincere. He had not seen Karli since he had left for basic, but if she was in trouble he was there. She had been the only one who had believed in him at all.

"Fine, take me to her and I will see what I can do."
A minute later they were in a car and headed towards her place. he was a bit anxious to meet her. He had changed a bit and had a few more scars and he wondered how she looked now. Ah who was he kidding, she was probably as gorgeous as ever.

He was finally led into her place and the man knocked on a door. From inside he heard the sweetest voice say "Come in." and he was led into a large office. Before him was a vision of beauty. Karli had certainly grown up well. Flawless skin, beautiful looks, a sexy body and long luxurious black hair. Oh yes she had indeed grown up well. Of course none of this showed on his face. He had been trained to reveal nothing.

Smiling he held out his hand, "Karli you are looking well," was all he said.

 

[zydrate]

Seeing Jason enter the room made it seem much smaller. He had a big and commanding presence about him. Something he always had about himself but that was before the military and now, it just seemed to exude it even more.

"Karli you are looking well."

She looked at his out stretched hand and scoffed it off, "We haven't seen each other for a long time and all you can offer me is a hand shake?" Before he could react, Karli wrapped her arms around Jason's shoulders, giving him a hug, "It's been too long Jason." She said before breaking the embrace. Taking him by the arm, she led him to her desk and waved to the chair in front of the desk as she took a seat behind it.

"So, Jason, how are you doing? You look really well." Karli said as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms in front of her, as a small smile played on her lips, "When did you get back?"

There were so many questions she wanted to ask him, but yet, this was technically a job interview and well, although she had already made up her mind, she still had to be business like.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason had been surprised at the hug. He had approached it as an interview not sure how Karli would react to him but the hug was pleasant and after his initial shock he had hugged her back. He sat down opposite her and calmly watched her movements. Calm and in control, he liked that. She was obviously used to being in control and having things her way. She would be surprised then if he actually got the job. Certain things would have to change.

"I'm fine thanks Karli. Just taking a break really from the military. What you might call extended leave. I only got back last week and am still settling in. You know looking for a job, finding my feet, checking out the old neighborhood to see what's changed, just the usual. As for my body," he chuckled, "Well the military does tend to whip you into shape. It was a lot more intense than I thought, but it was sure worth it. You would be amazed at some of the places I have seen. I really did get to travel the world," he smiled.

He looked her in the eyes and got serious. "That's not what you called me here for though is it. You have a problem and you think I can fix it. So why don't you tell me what it is and I will tell you one, if I am interested, two if I can fix it and Three if I want too."

 

[zydrate]

Seeing Jason's intent expression on his face made Karli nod as she took a deep breath, "Yes, I need your help, Jason." How was she going to start this. Admitting that your family was part of a criminal organization was something one didn't just admit. Although she was sure he probably had an idea of what her family was involved it, as it wasn't really a secret to those who grew up around there. But still, it was something one just didn't admit out right.

But Jason was smart. Hers wasn't the only family out there involved in...activities that weren't legal. Although recently, her brothers had suggested that she change all that.

"So, I'm not going to beat around the bush Jason. I need someone protect me. Now, ordinarily, I wouldn't be asking for this but in the last two days, there have been two attempts on my life and even though I made it out of those, I'm afraid that the third time is going to be successful. I have made changes in how my family's business is to be run and, along the way, have made a lot of enemies. No one wants likes change, especially those set on tradition. Now, the benefit of all this would be taking me down and thus pushing my family out of this. The thing is that I can't make it seem like I'm in hiding. I refuse to go into hiding until the meeting."

Hiding was never Karli's way of dealing with life. She always preferred to get things out in the open, deal with them and move on.

"So, I don't have to spell out what I'm needing from you Jason...is this something you can handle? If it is, you will be well compensated for you time."

With that, Karli sat back and waited for him to think about and let her know.

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason looked at her. So Karli was trying to take her business in another direction. That probably meant she was trying to go legit. A very admiral quality and move by her. Of course that would really make her a lot of enemies, even within her own family so to speak. If he remembered correctly her family had been involved in a few shady dealings but never anything to bad as far as he knew. They were never involved in drugs as far as he knew but other than that the sky was the limit.

So for people to suddenly loose that sort of income, it was no wonder she was under threat. If he took this job his life would certainly be on the line, but then again that was just the name of the game for him. His only problem would be getting Karli to listen to him. It still sounded like she was the hard headed girl she had been in high school. It was her way or no way it seemed and that would not work in this game.

"I have no problems taking the job Karli, it is something I can do, but I only take it on one condition. When it comes to your safety I am boss. You do what I say and you don't argue. If I tell you to wear something you wear it. If I say we go somewhere we do, or if I say a place is too suspicious or dangerous we bail no questions asked. I will try to respect your plans in all things but there may be times we clash and if I say no it has to be a no. If you can agree to this I can start first thing tomorrow."

 

[zydrate]

Karli didn't know exactly what to say to his terms. Yes, she was used to getting her own way but to have someone else take control and running things by them wasn't exactly her cup of tea. But this was her own life she was risking and even though she and Jason hadn't seen each other in a long time, she trusted him. Probably more so than those who had been employed within her family's business and dealings for as long as she could remember.

With a deep breath, Karli finally nodded, "Alright. I can do that." She said and stood up, walking around her desk to where Jason was, and held out her hand, "You have a deal."

After they shook hands, Karli smiled, "So," she handed him a card with her address on it, "This is my place, I usually leave for work around seven AM, we can meet tomorrow here at the office and then we'll discuss my schedules and any upcoming appointments I may have." When they reached the door, Karli hugged him again, "Thank you Jason, I really appreciate this."

 

[Aussie_Wolf]

Jason hugged her back and then frowned. "Just how many people know you usually leave for work around seven. If that is a regular schedule of yours I will meet you at your house at six and you are going to have to be ready to leave at six thirty. We will take my car and get here earlier taking a different route than normal. You are not thinking about these things Karli. You can't become too predictable and give your assailants an easy shot at you. I am not saying anything might happen but it is best to change your routine a little."

He looked at her and realized that maybe he did have a few lingering feelings for her. He wouldn't have taken this job for just anyone and he wondered why he was so keen to take it for her.

"I will be bringing a few things for you to wear tomorrow as well and remember no arguments. They are not bulky so don't worry," he smiled. "I will see you tomorrow at six Karli," he said and then waved and walked out. As he did he scanned the hallways, the elevator and the lobby as well as her security guards on the doors. He had some work to do and some calls to make. Looked like a busy night for him. He walked out and hailed a cab and gave it an address that was not his own and set out on a journey that was going to criss cross the city and then lead him back here in the evening.